The Xmas drone shooting season begins.

Still illegal to shoot or throw anything at an aircraft with the intent of interfering with its flight. Won't stop anyone from trying though! :eek:
 
the most interesting point, of this fairly reported drone account, was that the police appear to tell the pilot that he could be facing charges. Of course he won't, but if they are not informed of the laws themselves where do they come off making such statements? Apparently, even flying by FAA rules 107 can gets the authorities up your jammys.
 
The police have no jurisdiction to enforce FAA rules. They can only gather evidence and pass it along to the FAA for possible action, which is entirely at the FAA's discretion. Conversely, flying under FAA rules does not exempt you from local police enforcing local rules about where you can launch or land, or endangering people, or invasion of privacy. Law enforcement also have the right to demand your FAA sUAS certificate to ensure you are a registered drone pilot, and may inspect your aircraft for your FAA number. So, they can legally interfere with your drone flying at any time.
 
Actually law enforcement has no right to check your credentials.

They have the right to ask for identification, if they feel you are breaking a law.
 
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Actually law enforcement has no right to check your credentials.

They have the right to ask for identification, if they feel you are breaking a law.
I believe they do. The credentials are issued by FAA and are considered the same as a pilot's license. FAA states that if requested by law enforcement, you must show them your license. They cannot refuse to return it.
 
How and why could someone ask for something they know nothing about?

FAA states that only an FAA safety inspector has the right to ask for a pilots certification in the field.
 
How and why could someone ask for something they know nothing about?

FAA states that only an FAA safety inspector has the right to ask for a pilots certification in the field.
How and why could someone ask for something they know nothing about?

FAA states that only an FAA safety inspector has the right to ask for a pilots certification in the field.


Under 14CFR 61.3(l) stating "Inspection of certificate, Each person who holds an airman certificate, medical certificate, authorization, or license required by this part must present it for inspection upon request from,
,
,
(3) any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.

Your certificate for UAV issued to you personally by FAA or under part 107 for aircraft as required by law falls under this law.
 
Under 14CFR 61.3(l) stating "Inspection of certificate, Each person who holds an airman certificate, medical certificate, authorization, or license required by this part must present it for inspection upon request from,
,
,
(3) any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.

Your certificate for UAV issued to you personally by FAA or under part 107 for aircraft as required by law falls under this law.
so cop would have to present proof he is a fed, state, local law enforcer first before you would need to comply.
 
I believe they do. The credentials are issued by FAA and are considered the same as a pilot's license. FAA states that if requested by law enforcement, you must show them your license. They cannot refuse to return it.
Chances of them asking for your 107 are so slim it isn't worth mentioning. they will ask for id, which is NOT required to be provided without articulable suspicion.
 
so cop would have to present proof he is a fed, state, local law enforcer first before you would need to comply.

That would be a given. He would be a local law enforcement officer.
Anyone from local constable, to city policeman, sheriff deputy or even park official.

Cooperation goes a long way, just don't give up rights if you are not violating any serious infraction.
 
Chances of them asking for your 107 are so slim it isn't worth mentioning. they will ask for id, which is NOT required to be provided without articulable suspicion.

Your authorization to fly as a hobbyist is not 107 but still you have to have personal authorization issued by FAA. That number must be on all under 55 pound UAV you fly as yours. If ask for authorization you must give that number to law enforcement. Showing it on UAV works but it is assigned to your name and is required to fly UAV as a hobby.
 
That would be a given. He would be a local law enforcement officer.
Anyone from local constable, to city policeman, sheriff deputy or even park official.

Cooperation goes a long way, just don't give up rights if you are not violating any serious infraction.
I guess you have never asked cop for identification, they won't provide it is my point, so you are safe. They will go off on a rant though. So have the means to protect yourself form them.
 
I guess you have never asked cop for identification, they won't provide it is my point, so you are safe. They will go off on a rant though. So have the means to protect yourself form them.


They will have a uniform, badge or other identifying form or you are not required to respond. Common sense rules here. I would not give out personal information like even name to anyone that did not have authority and they are required to be identified as above.
 
How and why could someone ask for something they know nothing about?

FAA states that only an FAA safety inspector has the right to ask for a pilots certification in the field.

That is incorrect. The instruction to LEO from the FAA has actually been posted. It asks that the LEO obtain the registration information for the FAA and pass on the information.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/law_enforcement/media/FAA_UAS-PO_LEA_Guidance.pdf

What you may mean to say is that on the FAA safety inspector can inforce FAA regulations. If the local LE agency suspects you o a crime (local, federal or against FAA regulations), they may detain you and question you. They may also obtain the registration information from your drone as part of this investigation. My guess is if you refused, they would either obtain that information themselves or impound the drone for further investigation.

The FAA also specifically points out that local LE needs to follow their own guidelines when collecting this information. However, I'm betting they could simply state that there is a reason to suspect that the drone was used illegally (privacy, etc.) and obtain the registration number that way.

"It is extremely difficult to provide a “one size fits all” guide to cooperative investigation of suspected unauthorized UAS operations considering the myriad jurisdictions and the associated statutory and constitutional restraints and requirements. State and local officials are urged to use their governmental unit’s legal resources and their own management chain to develop acceptable protocols for dealing with these instances. In some situations, there may be legal bars to the sharing of some information or the use of databases designed for conventional Law Enforcement. However, with appropriate data collection during first responses and early reporting to the FAA, Federal, State and local agencies will be in the best position to both collect and share information that may be of interest to each jurisdiction."
 
That is incorrect. The instruction to LEO from the FAA has actually been posted. It asks that the LEO obtain the registration information for the FAA and pass on the information.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/law_enforcement/media/FAA_UAS-PO_LEA_Guidance.pdf

What you may mean to say is that on the FAA safety inspector can inforce FAA regulations. If the local LE agency suspects you o a crime (local, federal or against FAA regulations), they may detain you and question you. They may also obtain the registration information from your drone as part of this investigation. My guess is if you refused, they would either obtain that information themselves or impound the drone for further investigation.

The FAA also specifically points out that local LE needs to follow their own guidelines when collecting this information. However, I'm betting they could simply state that there is a reason to suspect that the drone was used illegally (privacy, etc.) and obtain the registration number that way.

"It is extremely difficult to provide a “one size fits all” guide to cooperative investigation of suspected unauthorized UAS operations considering the myriad jurisdictions and the associated statutory and constitutional restraints and requirements. State and local officials are urged to use their governmental unit’s legal resources and their own management chain to develop acceptable protocols for dealing with these instances. In some situations, there may be legal bars to the sharing of some information or the use of databases designed for conventional Law Enforcement. However, with appropriate data collection during first responses and early reporting to the FAA, Federal, State and local agencies will be in the best position to both collect and share information that may be of interest to each jurisdiction."
 
Pretty much. If you are violating a local law, they can arrest you for that but not actual flying. They have to turn that over to FAA. NO one has any jurisdiction over anything in air except FAA. Local can control where you take off or land but not fly unless FAA has passed an authorization approving it.
 

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